Historique
Article de Périodique
Predicting heroin potency from the analysis of paraphernalia: A tool for overdose prevention projects (2023)
Auteur(s) :
ZAMENGO, L. ;
FRISON, G. ;
BETTIN, C. ;
BADOCCO, D. ;
GHEZZO, N. ;
DI PINO, G. ;
FAVARETTO, A. ;
PANI, A.
Année
2023
Page(s) :
art. 111834
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Refs biblio. :
21
Domaine :
Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs
Discipline :
PRO (Produits, mode d'action, méthode de dépistage / Substances, action mode, screening methods)
Thésaurus mots-clés
TOXICOLOGIE
;
HEROINE
;
FACTEUR PREDICTIF
;
MATERIEL LIE A L'USAGE
;
ANALYSE CHIMIQUE
;
MODELE
;
PREVENTION
;
SURDOSE
;
MESURES QUANTITATIVES
;
MARCHE DE LA DROGUE
Thésaurus géographique
ITALIE
Résumé :
In recent years, fatal and non-fatal heroin-related overdoses have increased in northeastern Italy, and the change in potency of heroin available at street level has been identified as a prominent factor associated with acute toxicity. Two very different products, high-potency and low-potency heroin were becoming available on the street, and no clear morphological characteristics could be used to easily distinguish them. A theoretical model for predicting heroin potency from rapid analysis of cigarette filters was developed as part of an overdose prevention project. The model was derived from the analysis of real heroin samples and exploits the common presence of caffeine in heroin as an adulterant. It was tested on laboratory prepared filters, real filters used to prepare heroin injections, and other paraphernalia. The model showed strong predictive ability and was used to implement a rapid alert system to inform drug users and healthcare institutions about the potency of heroin or other psychoactive substances circulating in the area. Cigarette filters were used as standard material, but other paraphernalia were successfully tested. The developed model is a dynamic tool whose parameters can be updated according to the market characteristics, so it can be useful for laboratories involved in drug analysis and similar prevention programs.
Affiliation :
Laboratory of Clinical and Forensic Toxicology, DMPO Department, AULSS 3, Venice, Italy
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
Addiction Treatment Department, AULSS 3, Venice, Italy
Harm reduction activities, Department of Social Services, Municipality of Venice, Italy
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
Addiction Treatment Department, AULSS 3, Venice, Italy
Harm reduction activities, Department of Social Services, Municipality of Venice, Italy